Nowadays, online courses are becoming increasingly more popular for employees as an additional way to further their careers, especially with their convenience and accessibility.
Online courses refer to classes that are conducted through an online platform. It offers flexibility by eliminating the need for travel and attending classes in person, thereby allowing students to learn wherever they are.
But that's not all there is to it. Here’s a wide range of benefits that can encourage employees to take up online courses:
1) Enables Them to Learn at Their Own Pace
Regardless of your age or physical location, you will be able to access all the course materials and information provided as long as you possess a device such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This provides employees the agency to learn at their own pace, hence allowing them to upskill or reskill and improve in their careers.
For example, this site that offers beauty courses teaches students the necessary skills and techniques required in performing treatments. For those who are interested in a career as a beauty therapist, this course can be a good starting point in their journey towards becoming a professional in the beauty business.
2) Offers Them New Techniques and Different Perspectives
With an online course, employees can gain real-world skills and insights from both current and former professionals of their industry. The vast plethora of resources course platforms have to offer can give employees a competitive edge over their peers and colleagues. The structured learning process also ensures the knowledge being imparted can be followed in a clear-cut manner, so workers are never out of touch with their industry.
Some of these courses enable employees to learn how to manage accounting for small businesses and enterprises, for instance, even if their field of study may not necessarily be related to the subject.
3) Can Enhance Their Personal Lives as Well
Aside from career benefits, online courses offered by reputable institutions can also be beneficial for employees' personal development. Some courses teach yoga, mindfulness, and time management skills—great skills to have to help them de-stress and have a much-balanced life.
For those who are already parents, online courses can be an additional resource for tips to raise their children well too.
4) Earn Professional Certificates or Degrees Online
Do you want employers to recognize you as a prime candidate to include in the shortlist? Aside from rich work experience, having a professional certificate or degree from a reputable institution presents employers with the assurance that you are competent and knowledgeable enough to do the job.
If you haven't graduated from a course that reflects the job you're trying to get, online courses are a good alternative. Not only can they help you acquire new skills, but they can also give you an advantage against the other pool of entry-level applicants. And even if you graduated from a relevant course, additional degrees show your commitment to continuously upskill and advance in your career.
5) For Those With Busy Schedules, Online Courses Offer Flexibility
Workplace flexibility is one of the most attractive benefits for employees. For those who are parents and have to juggle between office hours and family time, online courses can be a good way to learn on their own accord. In case of personal emergencies, they'll always have the option to pause or take a break from their studies for a while.
For instance, online course takers can start studying after their kids have gone to bed or when commuting on a train or bus. Should they prefer studying in the early hours of the morning, that option is available too.
6) Makes Changing Careers Easier than Ever Before
Do you feel stuck in your current career—and want to jump ship? Do you lack the opportunities to attend physical seminars to give you new skills for a job you're eyeing?
Online courses are a great way to jumpstart your career in another career path. It can even be a suitable side hustle if you're not looking to leap just yet. For instance, those who want to make use of their creative talents can take free online art courses and learn about the different types of arts available.
After which, they can put those newly acquired skills to practice by developing their own portfolios and eventually join a global marketplace of artists.
7) Increases Your Net Value to Employers
One of the main reasons why employers look for potential candidates with a degree or some form of formal qualification is to ensure their employees are competent and qualified enough to do the job well.
However, employers also know that in this day and age, it's not just about having extensive knowledge on your chosen career path – it's also about continuously learning new skills. For this reason, having a variety of online courses under your belt shows that you're more than qualified to handle the job well and can build upon skills with relative ease.
Not only will they recognize you as a prime candidate, but with comprehensive online course experience on your resume, it's easier for them to win over other competitors on a job hunt.
8) Makes the Best Use of Your Time
Do you have a lot of downtime at work? Do you feel that you still have a lot of energy by the end of the day? For those who have a lighter schedule, online courses are a great way to use their time efficiently and learn new skills even at work. It's something anyone can take up and do at any time – whether it's during lunch or coffee breaks.
Even if you have a few hours free before your train commute, online courses can help you keep up with the latest in your chosen industry without having to leave the office.
9) Something For Everyone
While physical seminars allow you to learn more in your chosen path, it's usually reserved for company employees. For those who work with different companies, it's usually hard to get approval from their superiors if they want to attend seminars. For 3-day and 2-day seminars, the duration may just be too long. Not everyone has that much time off in a given month or with vacation days at hand.
An online course, on the other hand, is something that anyone can access, from the elderly in the States to a teenager from Asia. With online courses, everyone has the opportunity to access education—which can promote inclusivity and a more inter-connected and talent-oriented global workforce.
Guest post courtesy of Rebecca Lee